Villarreal fined 12,000 euros for banana taunt

May 7, 2014

MADRID (AP) — The Spanish league’s disciplinary committee has fined Villarreal $16,000 for the fan who threw a banana at Dani Alves last month.

During Barcelona’s 3-2 win at Villarreal on April 27, Alves was set to take a corner when a banana thrown by 26-year-old David Campayo Lleo landed on the field. Alves, who is black, picked it up, bit off a piece and then discarded it before taking his kick.

Alves’ actions led to social media support from fellow players, celebrities and politicians who posed for photos with bananas.